Emergency extended

[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 March 1999, 22:46 GMT]Deputy Minister of Defence, General Anurudha Ratwatte, while winding up the debate on the extension of emergency regulations, said that the military was in the final stages of opening a land route to Jaffna. He said he was optimistic that this could be achieved soon.

"Operations in the north were somewhat paralyzed in the last two months due to rains. The security forces are now successfully engaged in the operations" he added.

The emergency was passed by a majority of 100 votes. There were 106 votes for the motion and only 6 against.

Six MPs of the TELO, TULF and the Sri Lanka Progressive front voted against the extension.

The EPDP and the CWC voted in favour of extension of emergency.

Members of the main opposition party, the UNP left the house as soon as the winding up session of the debate began.